This major shakeup comes ahead of Trump's much talked about sit-down with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

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The stakes are high given the sustained back and forth between the two leaders on the long range ballistic missile test programs run by Kim Jong Un.

Tillerson's replacement

Trump made the announcement on Twitter, Tuesday. It was through the president's tweet that Tillerson learned he had been fired, after a top aide showed him the tweet.

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Trump said current CIA director, Mike Pompeo, will take over from the outgoing secretary.

Mike Pompeo, Director of the CIA, will become our new Secretary of State. He will do a fantastic job! Thank you to Rex Tillerson for his service! Gina Haspel will become the new Director of the CIA, and the first woman so chosen. Congratulations to all!